EAIC COMPLETES PROBE INTO DOE OFFICERS OVER PORT KLANG E-WASTE CONTAINERS

PUTRAJAYA, Jan 6 (Bernama) -- The Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) has concluded its investigation into allegations of misconduct involving officers from the Department of Environment (DOE) who authorised the release of e-waste containers at Westport, Port Klang.

In a statement today, EAIC said it received initial information regarding the potential misconduct in May 2024 and subsequently formed a task force under Section 17 of the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission Act 2009 (Act 700) to investigate the claims.

“The investigation revealed that the containers, believed to contain e-waste, remained at Westport, Port Klang. EAIC also confirmed that DOE officers attempted to release the containers without proper authority or valid justification,” said EAIC.

Further findings showed internal information leaks regarding the transfer of directors or officers, with new officers expected to release the containers, it added.

EAIC also discovered that DOE senior management failed to act on the information leak, leading to delays in concluding the investigation.

It emphasised that this was due to supervisory weaknesses, which could have resulted in losses to the government and worsened environmental pollution.

As a result, the EAIC has referred recommendations for disciplinary action against the officers to the High-Level Management Disciplinary Authority through Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar.

“EAIC also recommended improvements to the DOE’s standard operating procedures and enforcement directives, to be submitted to the Secretary-General of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability for further action,” said EAIC. 

-- BERNAMA